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Go Knit Pouch on the move! Where can you use it?

These little pouches are great for walking around knitting. I use this one in the store.  I remember seeing Jill Brewer walking around the after-school program with her ball of yarn tucked under her arm, assisting kids, knitting away steadily. She could have used one of these. Are we multi-taskers or what?  In fact, Amanda Lilley made similar pouches for awhile and I still use hers. These Go Knit pouches have a snapped loop to hook to your belt loop, purse, backpack or chair.  The water resistant, lightweight nylon, keeps your project protected from the elements (i.e. cats, dogs, and sticky fingers).

Another project bag in the shop is from Della Q–Edict.  Each of these little bags has a knitter’s or crocheter’s saying going up the side and a small pocket inside.  They are drawstring and really reasonably priced–only $10!

Both project bags are great gift ideas for you!  Time to drop a few hints around to your friends and family…

Edict Project Bags

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Crochet me that hat!

This Winter 2016 Interweave Crochet has patterns that make me wish I were a hooker–well a better crocheter than I am anyway.  There’s a fantastic pattern for “Winter’s Eye Afghan” by Lisa Naskrent, that joins octagons and squares to create this “eye of the storm” motif.  Gorgeous.  Then there are two sweater patterns that I would love to wear…seriously…I would love to wear these crocheted sweaters.  The detail of the button tab makes the piece, “Seaside Sweater” by Daniela Nii.  Of course, the other one, “Prairiefire Vest” by Suesan Roth, and the hat I want you to make me, “Flame Hat” by P.K. Olson, are both Tunisian crochet.  Now, I have attempted Tunisian crochet, and I can honestly say, it is not in my immediate future.  I am just a beginning crocheter, so the rather slow progress of Tunisian has kept me from dedicating time to that technique.  Maybe I can tackle it during mud season…  All in all, this is a great issue with patterns that are inspiring and hip…and crocheted!

 

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Do men wear pom poms?

I designed “Everyone’s Hat and Scarf” with this question in mind.  I showed my mid-fifties friend the hat with a pom pom and he said, “I like it, but get rid of the pom pom.”  Maybe it’s an age thing.  I had a young male knitter in who is making a slouch hat.  I asked him about the pom pom.  He said he’d probably put one on.  Pom poms are fun.  Not all men are.  So the pattern is out:  with reversible cables, the hat can be turned up to a conservative watchman’s cap; it’s long enough to be a slouch, either can be with or without the pom pom.  The scarf is long enough to be worn as a scarf that can be wrapped several times, or as a cowl that can be wrapped three times.  Something for everyone.  Next question on my mind?  Do men wear fringe?

Everyone's Hat with pom pom IMG_0977 Everyone's scarf

The pattern can be found on my Etsy KISSpatterns shop.

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Vogue Holiday–10 1/2–My favorite size needle!

The 2015 Holiday issue of Vogue Knitting has plenty to offer, but the best section, for my taste, are the six patterns knit with bulky yarn on 10 1/2 –or larger–size needles.  The cropped poncho with diminishing cables and rolled collar would look great on anyone, any age.  My personal favorite is the open seed-stitch, short-sleeved cardigan, but the tunic with a lattice pattern has my name on it, also.  Nothing like an excuse to wear leggings in winter.

You’ll find several beaded shawls, a tunic, gloves, and wristlets in the section “The Bead Goes On.”  Special knits for special occasions this winter.

I’m all about reds and “Drama Queens” has some yummy cowls and shawls knit in rich crimsons and pinks to warm you up for the holidays.

If you think Vogue Knitting is full of difficult and esoteric patterns, it’s time to look again.  At $7.99, you can’t beat the variety of patterns found inside their covers.  There is something for every knitter.

Vogue Holiday 2015

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New Pompom Magazine Revisits Art Deco

Biba–a popular clothing store established in the 60’s in London–was the theme for this issue of Pompom.  The style is Art Deco with a little glitz thrown in.  The sweater on the cover is by far my least favorite pattern in the book.  There is a suffragette cloche–just in time to wear to the movie–a hip, slinky “cold shoulder” sweater by Cirilia Rose, a fabulous pair of socks, aptly named for the founder of Biba, Hulanicki, and six other beautiful patterns.

There has been a lot of press about the health benefits of knitting and this issue of Pompom is no exception.  The article, “Knitting the Blues,” will make you feel right about curling up with your knitting and participating in swaps on Ravelry.   If you are a dyer, you will probably understand the article, “A Chemical Romance,” more than I did.   The article tracks Lora Angelova’s career in chemistry, settles into a discussion of organic colorants, and ends with a description of her own, more or less haphazard, dyeing adventures, which seem to have given her a new respect for hand-dyers.

All in all, the new Issue 15 of Pompom is well worth the $10.95 and can be found at the shop!

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Roquefort–It’s Bl-ewe!

Maybe everyone else already knew that Roquefort was made from ewe’s milk, but it took a tea towel to inform me.  I was in Mark’s and Spencer’s in  Southampton, England, when my eye was caught by a blue sheep on a tea towel (I have a weakness for tea towels and sheep, so I made a bee-line for the linens).  The title was Roquefort, which further intriqued me, as I love blue cheeses.  I knew about goat cheese and, of course, cheeses made from cow’s milk.  Why didn’t I know Roquefort, and other cheeses, were made from sheep’s milk?  Apparently references to Roquefort date back to 79 AD, though the tea towel says “depuis 1875.”  It goes on to tell us that the sheep’s cheese is naturally aged in caves.  Needless to say, I bought all the towels they had, and have them for sale in the shop!

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Front Page of The Courier!

I came home from my travels to find this great article, Love Yarn Shop focuses on fiber and fun,  on the shop on the front page of The Courier!  Woo Hoo!  Thank you Darin Wipperman for the nice write-up.

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Knitting Retreats…In my Dreams

For those who can, do!  Knitting retreats will take you all over the world: get-aways in hotels, on cruises, abroad.  This article from the NY Times will tempt you to make the reservation.

Imagine a knitting weekend here!
Imagine a knitting weekend here!
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Unisex Fingerless Mitts with Swans Island

It took longer than expected, but finally I finished the fingerless mitts pattern with Swans Island Washable Wool in sport weight.  Writing patterns is like all writing, you start out with one idea and end up with another.  The work just evolves as you are working.  So I started with the idea of having spades run up the mitt, but the spades were too indistinct and not worth the bother (keep it simple, stupid), so I did a seed stitch panel.  Then I thought I’d have a seed-stitch thumb, but it kept wanting to move to moss stitch, so another rip-out, and reminder to keep it simple.  In the end, the mitts are perfect for men or women, and show off the beautiful tonal qualities of Swans Island Washable Wool.  Best of all, they’re done and available at the Love Yarn Shop or at  KISSpatterns on Etsy.

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